Projects The H.A.M.B. Coupe - It's yours!

If this flies, I will be there to help in one capacity or another.

A lot of people doing a little bit of something can get a shitload done.

This idea has merits in it's own right, and if the car were to actually get done it would really be something special.

The potential benefits of a project like this are so great that to simply not make a run of it for fear of failing is just dumb IMO.

 

I don't think the thing needs to totally depend on a "well defined plan". Our individual projects don't always have a definite plan...some do, some don't. I don't care...I want to be involved whether it's raffled, goes to charity, or tours forever. I don't care if it's red, blue, white or black. I don't care if it gets done a little here, and a little there, or all at once. I don't care if it runs a flathead or a hemi, if it's fast or slow. I just wanna see us do this, and have some fun. I might have my "druthers"...I'd like to see it tour for a really long time, as a representative of the hamb. And as far as charity goes, it may be enough to simply make it available for exhibition to under-priveleged children, etc. And I'd really like to see it go fast, to showcase our abilities here. But mainly I want to know that I had a part in it with my hamb brothers and sisters.

 

I gotta say I'm impressed you stepped up and offered the car. That's huge and speaks volumes of our friends down under

My stomach turns at the thought of trying to legal it up so we're not liable in event of something unfortunate.

If the legalities are sorted out, count me in for labor, money, parts, whatever I can do. It'd be great to have a HAMB club car, and this could be really bitchin!

If nothing else you could sell t-shirts of the sucker to help raise build money.

If Ryan has to sell it someday to pay the mortgage, I'm glad I got to help repay the guy for what I've gotten here. The build will be an adventure and fun to watch.

P.S. Thanks for Mad Max and the cattle dogs!

 

Can you make it look like this?

 

great reading...I've read every post. I like the idea but I keep thinking of the great intentions we had with something so simple as sending our own "Mister bones" around the world....he got captured for months at a time [years?] and the whole deal fizzled.
Human nature is such that a project like this starts out with great intentions and slowly looses inertia....grinds to a halt when somebody feels taken advantage of.
I'd love to be proven wrong on this one...BTW, I'm also building a chopped 34 ford 5 window and my body was about as bad or maybe worse than the one in the photo, which I'm still not sure its' for sale, bought or what. It takes a LOT of labor and expensive parts to repair a body that bad but it already has a pretty nice looking chop.
Anyway, I have some left over body parts, several cowls and cowl pieces, Door pieces, a new pair of Mac's rockers, [OOps, accidently bought 2 pairs] and a few other parts I'd donate if the car doesn't sell on ebay and if Ryan OK's the project.

 

bttttt

 

32 Ford5
I think it's a GREAT idea and if there is anything I can contribute, I would be more than willing. It is a sad day when you can't give something away without someone thinking they are being ripped off.

 

To me this sounds like an interesting and fun idea. Not sure if it'd be possible but there's shows all over the country that hambers go to. How about taking it to various shows and maybe doing some work on it there by members there and if someone local has a shop or space leave it there for a little while for people to work on and then take it to the next show. I'm new to this so I don't have any extra parts and not much money to donate but I'd be more than willing to give it my time if it came my way. As to all the people saying "maybe he's trying to get his car built for free", he's in Australia and the cars in Colorado. He had people there offer to help with the build and I may be wrong but I'm guessing it'd be a lot cheaper to ship it there as is and have them build it than have it built here then shipped. I think either way it's built, as an ongoing project or a charity build, is a good idea

 

The logistics involved in this are off tbe charts ... this body in the states would bring 4k plus ... there will be more in transportation then in the build if you start moving it around ...

 

I'm in on design aspect. I can also track down parts,etc.

 

1st , thanks to the o/p for offering up his car.

2nd, i think its kiida funny people think hes running a scam , when hes half a world away, and the car's gonna stay here. i dont see how he's gonna rip anyone off, lol

while the logistics are tough, and there is certianly the exposure for drama and entertainment, it can be done.

on a bike site we built a bike, and sent it to a magazine for a competition against other site's bikes. sure there were some hassels, and arguments, and all the usuall, b/s, but it got done, and it was fun in the long run.

as we've already read, the consideration is in the works, so at the worst we wont get started , but if we do, im in for some assistance.

on the bike site, choices were voted on , and wether or not that was your preference, all agreed to stick to the plan, and did.

so rather than argue now, or call the o/p a crook, let's wait for the green light, then drop the hammer

either way, a guy's offered up a valuable body, my hats off to him



skull

 

It seems to me that everyone is missing something significant ... who is going to fund this scenario ... T shirt sales ???? ... gonna need a lot of T shirts ... this is what I mean about logistics .... time / distance / money ? ... Is everyone going to meet in Indiana with a truck load of parts and spend a month working on it ... consider me skeptical ...

 

Thanks Ryan and if it helps you I am willing to help in as many ways as possible. I'm familiar with forums and how they run and am here )on the internet) a lot. I know you have a lot on your plate and really appreciate you wanting to give us the green light on this (pending the legal go ahead). We all await your confirmation that we go.

Guys, I'm overwhelmed at your response and am REALLY proud to have started what I hope is going to become our own coupe.

I will read all your responses and quote and comment shortly but from what I can see many of you are on board with the idea (those who originally gave the idea the thumbs down probably didn't really understand my motives and I'm sure will be on board once we get this thing rolling.

I can picture this old coupe becoming a presence at many events. I would like to keep it among us forever and just use it to teach people how to do things. A rolling test bed is a great idea. Plus a central hovering point for bored members.

At the moment I'm thinking that if we focus on fixing the body and cleaning the chop it could become anything we want but I say we make it a dual duty car. Drags and Salt. Why not? Maybe even years it can be drags and odd years it can be salt?

I like the idea of H.A.M.B. members volunteering for crew duties and that we allow kids to help us crew (rag holders if necessary). Heck, I'm still waiting to be crew on a hot drag car and I'm 45! Their parents would have to sign a disclaimer (which is another way for people to take responsibility for their own actions) and as long as we don't do anything negligent we should be ok. I like the idea of a passenger seat though so we can all take at least a slow rumble around the pits but we will develop rules and guidelines as we go along later in other threads.

As far as how long it might take to finish I've already had PMs from shops who say they could pretty much finish the coupe with parts they already have so we are healthy in the volunteer stakes.

I'm going to also chuck in the "mystery" quick-change I just bought and those 15x4 spindle wheels and tyres as well. I'm not going to be able to use them down here any time soon anyway so the H.A.M.B. Competition Coupe may as well get some basic direction.





I vote we keep this car a race car and that we never sell it and that it becomes a permanent member of our family. Let's start something here in 2010 that lasts forever like a good race car can. Let's aim to build some of our own patina. That we look for ways to raise money for good causes with the coupe instead of by selling the coupe. I want it to just always be there so people can maybe spend a few days coming down to wherever it is and helping prepare it for the weekend races. I'm sure there are people who don't have a car of their own and would love to crew on the H.A.M.B. Coupe. I know I would!

...and yes Ice Breaker...it can look like that!

A special thank you to all who have volunteered parts and services along the way and a special reminder that... if you don't have parts or labour to offer then you can still become an important part of the coupe by helping us here on the forum with choices and decisions and ideas.

One thing we all know is that great rewards and great loves require great risks. This is no different, We risk failure to ensure success. That's how all great things are done in this world. At some point someone has to step forward and start something big. All good things start from a positive action and I see no reason why any of the problems we expect to encounter on this very special build can't be overcome. We are a strong and focused group with immense power to do good.

I think a T-Shirt idea would be a great way to raise funds for charity and we should pay double. Once for the T-Shirt and then an equivalent amount straight to the charity fund (which will need to be setup by someone we all can trust (in the US). A donation page would also be a good idea with a 50/50 split? Half to the chosen (or current monthly?) charity and half to the coupe for more parts. If we get stuck for ideas we'll just raise a new thread and talk it out.

I'm going for coffee and to read all your responses...pitch in your support or warnings or feedback.

 

Being skeptical is healthy and means you want more information before making a decision. Being cynical means you don't think this will ever get off the ground. I can deal with skeptics.

The T-Shirt sales will (or could) go straight to the charity or cause we all vote on. The car will be (ideally) built with donated parts and time. If people want to donate parts or time they can. If people want to travel to work on the coupe for a day or a few hours they can. This will have to live on the generosity of members who want to see this coupe completed. I'm sure that the overwhelming majority of members will not donate anything but moral and decision support and that's fine.

I don't think that having "everyone meet in Indiana for a month to work on it" is what anyone was thinking. I already have offers from shops who are more than willing to have the coupe at their workshop and have even volunteered parts and time. From the PMs I've received (if you think this thread is wildfire you should see my PMs!!) this car is almost already built! In fact I had to laugh (with joy) because one guy said he could finish almost the entire car just with parts he was willing to donate! If we had a choice I'd prefer that this be built from parts and effort from all of us not just one (super triple generous) member.

But even if no one wanted to volunteer or donate I'd still build it slowly as my finances permitted and it would still be built if not with the support of this site and it's members (which we clearly have so this point is moot) then certainly as a tribute to the H.A.M.B and the spirit of it's members. With or without the H.A.M.B. this car will be built as a tribute but from the responses here I don't think we need to fear a lack of participation!

 

i really like the idea of it being a salt lake racer, i have wanted to build one, so i am definately in for that. i think the H.A.M.B. logo should go on the side of the car. Use it to promote quality building of hot rods. 1950's styling and parts. Ford Flat head would be good. But i would vote for something out of the ordinary like a hudson twin h, or a 409 Chevy

 

I agree with the H.A.M.B. logo or it could be more focused on the Alliance emblem? We'll discuss all that in the "design" thread. Start sketching your paint schemes!

 

Make it a cross between the Pearson Bros coupe and the 554. Like use the Pearson Bros chop and paint scheme but build it for drag racing with a blown Hemi, big slicks and plexi grill insert. That's what I want!!!

 

I'm hearin' that in stereo! I really like the idea of building a mean looking, juices flowing, slightly intimidating coupe.

Like this which I borrowed from a recent thread on "fuel coupes". This car get's me shifting in my seat.

 

Well I can come up with about any size nailhead if you guys want to run a nailhead in it, I also have 34 cowels if any patches or anything is needed. If you go rod I have some stuff, if you go race I dont have alot of stuff but I do have a few items that may help, if nothing else I have stuff that I could put on here for auction and the money can go to the shop that the car is being built in. I doubt that I will ever be close enough to the car to see it or touch it but the HAMB is a great place and if I can be part of saving a 34 hell I will sure step up to the plate. Just sign me up! Jim

 

Thanks for your support. It's spine chilling to hear someone talking about "maybe one day seeing or even touching" this coupe. Is it already becoming a "thing"? Hope so.

I'm already picturing the H.A.M.B. Coupe (it needs a good name like "The Alliance" or something) in Rodders Journal one day and all of us wanting to go to the races to see, hear and feel it. I know I can't wait to see it! I'm already planning a visit to the shop to shake the hands of the first custodians and maybe even pull on a welding helmet again to pull some beads. I've got to be a physical part of this coupe too. I'd like to be there for all the lessons in fact. I'll be learning a lot from this build and I really like that it looks like it's going to bring us all just a little closer to each other. Plus it'll be a great rallying point for all H.A.M.B. members when it's parked or racing or being worked on. Sometimes it's tough to raise money to advance your own project. Here is a chance to be a part of a build even if you don;t have your own car yet.

 

i think you are very generous. send it to salt flats speed shop, he can fix anything!

 

Incredibly interesting. Will stay tuned...

 

Perhaps keeping it a race car (i.e. OHV - off highway vehicle) and not a street car could dodge a lot of the legal/insurance concerns?

 

Wow, Wow and Wow!

This is crazy!

So glad you (we) finally got some positive feedback and communal attitude.

To those who think it's not possible, I got one thing to say to you, humans are the most powerful and smartest specie on the planet.

Are you telling me that a bunch of sentimental like-minded people, like HAMBers, can't put something as simple as a Hot Rod together?

Sometimes too much thinking can lead to problems and a delayed start.

Look, I don't have much money, skill, parts or anything to give at this stage but I will give what I can, hence, the community HAMB car.

I'm not very religious, but as the bible says, "the poor lady gave more than the wealthy man as she gave all she had in comparison to the man ranting on about is large sum of donation".

For now, obviously we should await Ryan's legal confirmation.

Then, I believe, do a poll of what to do with the car as that's a simple and final decision.

Good stuff.

HC.

 

maybe do the car like the PHR project X car was done, kind of a rolling test bed for ideas , done on the hamb.
I like the drag coupe ideas..

 

Exactly what I was thinking. Just by buying a ticket to enter the races you agree to a disclaimer (racing is dangerous...etc). The same could be done for this car. Before anyone works on it, let alone rides in it or for the lucky few - drives it, they will have to sign a full disclaimer before rolling their sleeves up. I know you can't disclaim against murder but (as I mentioned earlier) if we are not negligent we should be ok and the over-the-top level of professionalism that permeates this place I don't think we are going to have any obvious or immediate issues and if we do we will work through them one by one like we always do in life. The main thing is we keep going and we MAKE it work!

I'm really bloody excited actually!! I feel like (and am proud) I started this which is going to grow so big that no one single person will ever be able to take full credit for it. This is our car and we will all "own" it. If not legally then certainly emotionally. I would be comfortable if it was referred to from this point as "our coupe".

 

can't fault a guy for trying...although I'd be for a salt coupe you boys could come over and drive...there's this 33-34 bumper just sitting in my shop that just today I was thinking - WTF or you/me going to do with it?...we all have stuff just laying around...think the BIG fight will be over the paint!!!

 

I like the idea of the car being used to teach us all new things. For example, I can't straighten sheet metal or lay paint (yet) but I'd love to book in some work time on this coupe just to learn.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that it encompasses all that is good about the H.A.M.B. and the special attitude we have towards history and cars. This car should scream H.A.M.B.!

That's the good thing about a forum. You can participate with ideas and input and you will be just as important as the guy doing the welding, assembling the heads, laying on the paint, helping to keep it spotless, driving it to the track or keeping track of the T-Shirt sales. We can all be a part of this and we can all feel proud.

 

I'm in for sure!!!

I definitely think it should be a cross-country (cross-continent??) build. If we can get as many shops/HAMBers hands on it, it makes it all that more involved for us as a whole. I'd volunteer my time for whatever type of finishing work needed to be done and would welcome as many tri-state HAMBers as I can pack into my shop to help. Its impossible for us all to touch the car but the more hands that do, the better.

 

HAMB Drag car or Hamb bonneville LSR car would be cool. as for who gets to drive it, that could be a prize for a tech thread or somthing like that.